A Way Out Addiction Treatment Center Newsletter #3 03/2013 | Page 8

Those with low self-esteem have four basic fears:
1.
The fear is of doing something that will confirm
their own inadequacy.
2.
The fear is that others will see what they've done
and also recognize their inadequacy.
3.
The fear is of losing what one has; fear that
success cannot be sustained; fear of abandonment.
4.
The fear is of once more experiencing
humiliation, depression, devastation or despair.

Through recovery these fears are gradually dispelled and the person becomes able to respond in healthy ways to
the situation in his life.
Hypersensitivity
Overly sensitive, those with low self-esteem frequently get their feelings hurt, are easily offended, are quick to
become angry or defensive, and are easily provoked. They tend to be overly self-focused and can appear
insensitive to the feelings of others or can inaccurately look as though they are narcissistic.
Basically they are constantly looking for signs that others are rejecting or disapproving of them and then conclu de
this is happening even when it is not.
Mixed Emotions
Those who suffer from low self-esteem find their emotions fluctuating frequently and without warning. They may
?think? that someone is rejecting or disapproving of them and then feel hurt and despondent, or they may respond
with anger. Also, they may at one moment feel confident, worthy, and self-assured and then take a downturn at a
perceived slight from someone.
At times they may feel competent only to question and berate themselves and then become depressed when they
make a simple mistake. Thus the tumultuous roller coaster ride of life is one of unexpected emotions and
reactions, usually ending in negative self-talk.
Self-Esteem Attacks
(Similar but different from panic attacks)
Often mistaken for panic attacks, Self Esteem Attacks are always related to how the person feels about himself or
herself: inadequate.
These attacks then lead to depression and feelings of humiliation and devastation. Common to some degree to
all who suffer from low self-esteem, self-esteem attacks occur when a person perceives she has made a mistake
in front of others or that others will hear about and begins to berate herself, to hate herself for her own perceived
stupidity.